Kingsport Reporter

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. 

The theme of NPM this year is “A Lasting Legacy: The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.” and asks everyone to take action now by making a plan with your community, your family and for your pets. We can all take action to prepare! We are all able to help first responders in our community by training how to respond during an emergency and what to do when disaster strikes — where we live, work and visit. The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, businesses, school and places of worship.

Make a Plan

• Create a lasting legacy. Make a plan before disasters & emergencies strike: ready.gov/plan  

• Discuss with your household or family how you will communicate if there is an emergency. Have a plan for at home, work, and school.

• #BeReady. Make an emergency plan today & practice it: www.ready.gov/plan 

• Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as a conversation over dinner. Get started with tips from @Readygov: www.ready.gov/plan 

• Houses, mobile homes, apartments, and high-rise buildings have different evacuation considerations. Make a plan for each: www.ready.gov/plan-for-locations 

• It’s important to include kids in the disaster planning process. Review your family emergency plan together so that they know what to do even if you are not there: ready.gov/kids

• Review, update, and practice your Family Emergency Communication Plan at least once a year, or whenever information changes. Planning in advance helps ensure all members of the household know how to reach each other and where to meet up in an emergency.

• Practice evacuating in the car with your animals, so they’re more familiar if you need to evacuate in an emergency. 

Build a Kit

• #BeReady for a power outage by having enough food, water, & meds to last for at least 72 hours: ready.gov/kit 

• #BeReady when disaster strikes. Build your emergency kit and have several ways to receive weather alerts. 

• Disasters don’t wait. Prepare now. Include these items in your emergency kit: 

* Food and water

* Cloth face coverings, sanitizer, and soap

* Any medications

* Pet supplies

* First aid kit

• Keep flashlights and radios in a known, easy to access place in case of a power outage.

• It’s not too early to teach your kids about emergency preparedness! Play the Build a Kit game and learn what supplies are needed for your own emergency kit. Visit: www.ready.gov/kids/games 

• We often think of just our homes in terms of emergency kits. Think outside the box! A vehicle emergency kit is a great idea. For tips on what to include, visit: www.ready.gov/car 

• Take a selfie with your pets & include a printed copy in your emergency kit. If you get separated during a disaster, it might help you get reunited. #BeReady #PetPreparedness

Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness

• #BeReady. Snap photos of important documents and personal belongings to help you quickly file an insurance claim after a disaster. 

• What important documents should you have for an emergency? Download the free Emergency Financial First Aid Kit, which will walk you through the planning process: https://go.usa.gov/xypkQ 

• Plan ahead: how will you pay your bills if a disaster strikes? #BeReady with the help of these tips and free resources: ready.gov/financial-preparedness  

• Set aside a small amount from each paycheck to go into your savings account. Find more tips to help you manage your money to be prepared for the unexpected: https://www.usa.gov/flec 

• Have multiple ways to get weather information. If you receive an emergency alert, act fast! Listen to local official and take the necessary actions. #BeReady

• Contact your water and power companies to get on a “priority reconnection service” list of power-dependent customers if you rely on electrical medical equipment. 

• Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas in your home. ready.gov/safety-skills  

Teach Youth about Preparedness

• Teach children what to do in an emergency if they are at home or away from home. Visit: ready.gov/kids 

• Help your kids know how to communicate during an emergency. Review these topics with them: Sending text message; Emergency contact numbers; Dialing 911 for help ready.gov/kids

• Add your kids’ school’s social media info to the family communication plan: ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan 

• Do your kids know what to do in an emergency? Include them in your family communication plan:

* Practice how to get in touch in an emergency

* Write down emergency contacts

* Pick a family password/safe word to help your child avoid strangers

• Get kids involved in building their own emergency kit: ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit 

• Your kids can become Disaster Masters with this @Readygov preparedness game: www.ready.gov/kids/games

• Are your students prepared for an emergency? Download curriculum for grades 1-12 for your classroom: www.ready.gov/kids/educators

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